ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works with a Request to APPROVE a RESOLUTION OF FINANCIAL COMMITMENT between the Illinois Department of Transportation and the City for a SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL GRANT APPLICATION. (Council District 5)
Body
BACKGROUND: Public Works is working with IDOT on a State Fiscal Year 2019 and 2020 grant cycle for Safe Routes to School application. The most recent grant cycle affords these SRTS projects to be funded 100% by the State program of this federal fund. Furthermore, the guidelines of the grant require this Resolution, and it also doubles in assistance to allow for a local letting.
Public Works solicited suggestions from both District 150 and Dunlap School District for this cycle. Areas of concern by D150 can be addressed with standard City programs. For instance, a request was made by D150 near Trewyn School, which was already planned for and funded with this year’s Sidewalk In Need of Repair contract.
The locations that Dunlap School District requested were for infill sections of sidewalk on the east side of N Allen Rd, from Wilhelm Rd going northerly approximately 325 feet; the second request came from the principal at the nearby Hickory Grove Elementary School to infill a section of walk on the south side of Hickory Grove Rd from Columbine Dr going easterly by approximately 400 feet. These two infills complete connectivity of sidewalks that students would regularly use to walk to school.
This does not absolve the City or IDOT review or construction oversight since Federal Dollars will be used for this project. Federal and State regulations of construction and staffing practices are required.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: A Local fund can be established in City Fiscal Year 2019 or 2020 to upfront fund this project, then receive 100% reimbursement of applicable construction and engineering costs at the completion of the project.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Staff has coordinated with the School Districts and will continue this discussion with residents if the State approves the City’s grant application.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The required Resolution will be attached with the Grant application by November 19th. The City could accelerate the advertisement, letting, and award of Construction contract to anticipate scheduling to have a completed network before either the 2019 or 2020 school year commences in the fall.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The grant may be deemed incomplete and rejected by the State. Additionally, the Project’s Construction bid will be on a slower State-controlled schedule.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Safe Peoria
2. Grow Peoria
3. Financially Sound City Government
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Have an efficient government.
2. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
3. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
DEPARTMENT: Public Works